Norma S. Elias

Elias Norma Spaven- age 86, resident of Frankfort, Michigan, passed away peacefully in the company of family on January 7, 2024.

Norma was born in Flint, Michigan on December 11, 1937. She grew up in Ferndale, Michigan, and graduated from Hazel Park High School in 1956. She had numerous jobs from the age of 15, including in one-girl offices, and later worked for companies such as GM’s Buick Otterburn plant in the Flint area.

She married Albert Elias in 1959 and they bought a business in Frankfort, Michigan, where they raised their children. While living in Frankfort, she worked for Allied Fabricators and then Luedtke Engineering Company. In 1986 she accepted a position downstate at The University of Michigan Health System where she worked for the remainder of her career.

Norma was involved in public service for most of her life, serving on the Frankfort City Council. She also served a term as Mayor of Frankfort and later was part of the Frankfort City-County Airport Authority. She was very outspoken, especially for women’s and worker’s rights, and was not afraid to voice her support for the people, always standing up for the little guy.

She attended Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City and later attended Washtenaw Community College and Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Michigan.

She obtained her Private Pilot License. She belonged to numerous organizations including Eastern Stars, the League of Women Voters, and National Organization for Women.

Norma was a lover of books and antiques and had an extensive collection of both. She especially loved reading about history. She showed how our family fit into that history with the stories she passed down to us.

She loved her many trips with friends to the wilderness of Canada. She also loved animals, especially her cats, and rescued many over the years.

A few of her hobbies were playing the piano, gardening, fly fishing, and attending operas.

Norma adored her grandchildren, always traveling to Ypsilanti and Seattle to spend time with them. She was there for each grandchild’s birth and many sporting events and recitals.

She will be remembered as a strong, confident, determined individual with a generous spirit. When she devoted herself to a project, she was all in and conducted herself with honor and integrity.

She is survived by her children, Elaine (Dennis) Battle and Ella (Kim) Elias and her grandchildren, Caitlin and Courtney Battle and Evin Elias.

She was preceded in death by her parents Arthur Spaven and Pauline Spaven and her brother Mark Spaven.

Burial at Argentine Twp. Cemetery and two Celebrations of Life will take place at 12:00 PM Saturday, August 17, 2024, at Lucky Dog Bar and Grille, 223 South Benzie Blvd., Beulah, MI and 4:00 PM, Friday, August 23, 2024, at Genitti's Hole-in-the-wall, 108 East Main Street, Northville, MI.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of the following: Humane Society, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, or Plant-a-Tree Memorial. Tributes may be shared at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com